For some children in Southwest Florida, Halloween felt a little different this year. Over 70 kids are still living in shelters a month after Hurricane Ian hit; nevertheless, the American Red Cross insisted that Halloween must go on!

Red Cross shelter managers were given the green light to plan their own festivities; that way, each shelter could individualize the fun! Wish lists were sent to logistics fulfillment centers, and people in the community also chipped in, donating candy, costumes, and games. Parties, movie night, pizza and ice cream, fall crafts, and Halloween Bingo were just some of the activities shelter residents got to enjoy.

At a Red Cross-managed shelter in Venice, costumed children danced up and down a hallway, collecting candy from residents, shelter workers, FEMA representatives, and workers from ShorePoint Health. Red Cross caseworkers adopted a ghoul-squad theme, and shelter manager Brian McAllister, sported a pumpkin T-shirt with a skeleton-hand crown.

Eileen McGrail, who worked in the lab for ShorePoint, organized and helped fund the fun. "I told them I wanted to do a party for the kids," she said.

She decorated the two-room Kid Zone with monster plates, orange string lights, a talking pumpkin head and spider webs. Her sister, Madeline McGrail arranged mini cupcakes in circles on Halloween plates.

Larry Hersh, a volunteer with the Northern New England Chapter of the Red Cross, grilled hot dogs that proved popular with adults but held little attraction for the kids when so much candy was available. Squealing and laughing, they ran back and forth to their parents, showing off their favorite treats. They downed sour balls, popcorn balls, and brownie bites and chomped on orange-sprinkled cookies. 

A sweet Halloween was had by all. 

Written by Heather Anderson and Betty Adams, American Red Cross